Web Game Debunks HIV Stereotypes

Think you can look at a person and tell whether or not he or she has HIV? Well posornot.com, a website sponsored by mtvU, invites you to try. The new "game" shows you photos of people, tells you a little about their interests, and then asks you to guess if they are HIV positive or negative. When you play, not only will you realize that you can't judge a book by its cover, but you'll also be reminded of some important facts about HIV, such as:

HIV is an equal opportunity disease, so even if you're on the pill or some other hormonal birth control, if you're unsure about a person's STI history, you should use a condom every single time you engage in sexual activity.

Want to see what else you should know and find out where you can get tested? Then read more.

Sharing needles with people is one way to spread HIV, but other substances can increase your chances as well. If you drink or do other drugs, that makes you lose your inhibitions, and you may end up having unprotected sex, which could result in HIV.

Tests for HIV (blood tests and oral swab tests) look for antibodies that your body produces if infected. Luckily there are now rapid tests available that can give you results within 20 minutes.

Once someone is infected with HIV, it can take three to six months for the test to show up positive, so as soon as you become sexually active, it's a good idea to get tested regularly for all STIs, including HIV.

Remember that just because a person "looks" clean or says he's free of disease doesn't mean he is — an HIV test is the only way to know for sure. To find a testing center near you, text your zip code to KNOWIT [566948], call 1-800-CDC-INFO [232-4636], or check out this website.

I see children everyday that have HIV or AIDS and you cannot tell that they are "sick" I had to get tested to get life insurance and it was such an interesting experiance, i was not worried yet i felt nervous.

Oh and yes it came out negative for all STDs/HIV... but I still plan to get a full panel test every year even though I have only ever had 1 steady boyfriend (still with him) and have only ever been sexually active with him.
My health is very important to me.
Sorry for the triple posting. :oops:

Oh and yes it came out negative for all STDs/HIV... but I still plan to get a full panel test every year even though I have only ever had 1 steady boyfriend (still with him) and have only ever been sexually active with him. My health is very important to me. Sorry for the triple posting. :oops:

*wish we could edit posts*
I just wanted to add:
I recently got tested for all STDs and HIV/AIDS. When I was sitting waiting for the nurse to draw blood I, too, felt the stigma of 'getting tested'. I knew I didn't have it, but I was being safe and getting tested. I can only imagine the stigma felt if you knew you had or a chance you had it and had to get tested. I now understand why so many people that have a chance of having still don't get tested. It was scary sitting there wondering what if and thinking the nurse is judging you.
So I said something to the nurse about it ... and she assured me that now it is just procedure and they don't think twice about someone getting tested... in fact they think it's good to get tested and be aware.
So if you are thinking about it, but are too scared to get it done... Please go do it! Your health is much more important than being nervous or embarrassed for just a few moments.

*wish we could edit posts*I just wanted to add:I recently got tested for all STDs and HIV/AIDS. When I was sitting waiting for the nurse to draw blood I, too, felt the stigma of 'getting tested'. I knew I didn't have it, but I was being safe and getting tested. I can only imagine the stigma felt if you knew you had or a chance you had it and had to get tested. I now understand why so many people that have a chance of having still don't get tested. It was scary sitting there wondering what if and thinking the nurse is judging you. So I said something to the nurse about it ... and she assured me that now it is just procedure and they don't think twice about someone getting tested... in fact they think it's good to get tested and be aware.So if you are thinking about it, but are too scared to get it done... Please go do it! Your health is much more important than being nervous or embarrassed for just a few moments.